St. Pete Beach
Prior to 1957, what is now known as St. Pete Beach was actually several different communities, including Pass-a-Grille, Don CeSar, Belle Vista, and St. Petersburg Beach. Comprised of some of Pinellas County's top beaches and vacation hotspots, St. Petersburg Beach - shortened to "St. Pete Beach" in 1994, is a great home base for all of your Gulf Coast adventures.
St. Pete Beach may be thought of as four miles of beautiful white sandy beaches waiting for you! Located on Long Key, St. Pete Beach is connected to the mainland by the Corey Causeway and the Pinellas Bayway (toll); it connects to Treasure Island via the Blind Pass Bridge.
St. Pete Beach is made up of two sections - namely St. Pete Beach (in the north) and Pass-a-Grille (in the south). And, a number of Superior Small Lodging™ properties are located in both St. Pete Beach and Pass-a-Grille!
St. Pete Beach offers a wide range of activities, in addition to beach going and swimming. You can find wave runners, scuba diving, fishing and more. Cruises, such as those to Shell Key, to swim, snorkel and ‘shell’ is a favorite of families and couples. And, many celebrate special occasions on dining and dancing cruises, which go out six days a week.
Land-based activities are plentiful in St. Pete Beach, too! Ft. De Soto Park – an amazingly beautiful park with Spanish American war structures, a doggy ‘paw park’ and beach, a large nature preserve with trails for biking, hiking, birding and nature watching. It is the perfect place to spend a day. Ft. De Soto Park, is so notable in fact, that is was named by Dr. Beach as America’s No. 1 beach in 2005.
For wine lovers, St. Pete Beach is close to the Florida Orange Groves and Winery in South Pasadena. This winery is just one of just a handful of wineries in Florida and the winery offers tastings to help visitors choose their favorites.
Both St. Pete Beach and Pass-a-Grille offer many, many dining choices… from fine European-style dining, to casual waterfront dining. Your Superior Small Lodging™ property manager can make suggestions to fit your preferences and needs.
Shopping areas are plentiful up and down St. Pete Beach along the main street -- Gulf Boulevard. For a change of shopping experiences, visit Corey Avenue – the historic shopping center for the beaches – where there is a variety of unique shops, galleries, restaurants and the historic Beach Theatre.
At the foot of the narrow Long Key, below the Don Cesar Hotel is Pass-a-Grille, where the Intracoastal Waterway becomes Pass-a-Grille Inlet, sweeping into the Gulf of Mexico.
Flower boxes and picket fencing suggest the mid-1880s when the first beachgoers began vacationing here. This is a walking place. It’s only two streets wide and two miles long, most of the way lined by sidewalks. And, for those who want to shop, we should be clear that there is shopping in Pass-a-Grille, as well as memorable, waterfront dining.
Whatever your preferences, don’t miss St. Pete Beach! You owe it to yourself!
